But in the end Alvarez's body work won over at least one of the judges decisively as he came away with a split decision victory in a 12-round light middleweight bout at the sold-out MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Judge Levi Martinez scored it 117-111 for Alvarez, while Jerry Roth scored it 115-113 for Lara and Dave Moretti had it 115-113 for Alvarez.

Lara landed 10 more total punches than Alvarez, but Alvarez was well ahead on power punches, landing most of them to Lara's body.

Canelo, the 23-year-old Mexican superstar, is 44-1-1 with 31 KOs, and Lara, 31, who defected twice from Cuba, is 19-2-2 with 12 KOs.

Lara said he was "100% sure" he won the fight and asked for a rematch.

"I still have no respect for him," he said. "I want a rematch. I will do the same and I will win again."

Alvarez said he would give Lara a rematch "when he learns to fight."

Alvarez earned $1.5 million and Lara $1 million for the fight. Lara's WBA light middleweight title was not up for grabs in the non-title fight, which was contracted at 155 pounds, one pound over the 154-pound limit.

The round-by-round analysis:

Round 1: Canelo came in five pounds heavier tonight. Nice left by Lara connects. Canelo not doing much early. Lara controlling the pace so far. Left to the body by Canelo. Good combo by Lara. Lara more aggressive in the first. His 5-inch reach is showing so far. Fight fought in middle of ring to Lara's advantage. Lara 10-9.

Round 2: Canelo connects on combo, but Lara hits back with a straight left. Lara much quicker so far. Lara using his jab to perfection. Canelo throws hard right to the body. Lara making Canelo pursue. Straight left by Lara. Lara the busier fighter and I give him another 10-9 round.

Round 3: Canelo misses with a right uppercut. He's trying to connect on the big shot. Lara moving around the ring with Canelo chasing. Hard left by Lara followed by Canelo swinging and missing a lot. Straight left hits Canelo flush. Canelo throwing wild rights and missing. Another Lara round 10-9.

Round 4: Canelo take the offensive and going to the body. Straight left by Lara. Canelo going to the body. Canelo has bruise under right eye. Lara trying to tire Canelo out. Canelo much more aggressive in this round, and takes it. He has small cut beside his right eye. Canelo 10-9.

Round 5: Right hook by Lara connects. Then with a straight left and jab for Lara. Canelo goes to the body. Lara getting by Canelo's guard. Canelo connects on a right upperfcut by Lara counters. Lara keeps slipping punches. Canelo's persistent body work gives him the round in my book.

Round 6: Lara swings and misses with a left, I think, for the first time. Lara gets in the corner and fights his way out. Canelo has been known to tire late. A 1-2 by Lara and Canelo misses with an undercut. A difficult round to score. Lara was the better boxer in the right. And I give himn the round. Now 4-2 Lara on my scorecard.

Round 7: Canelo unable to cut off the ring on Lara. Left and a right uppercut for Canelo. Another left by Canelo . Being the aggressor this round. Lara cut over the right eye from a Canelo uppercut. Canelo connects with a right to the midsection. Round for Canelo. 4-3 Lara.

Round 8: Lara running and not being as aggressive as he has been. Canelo's body work may be affecting Lara. Great combination by Canelo. Lara connects on a straight left, but this is Canelo's round so far. Canelo coming on strong, and wins another round as the tide turns. 4-4 right now, an even fight. Lara needs to start throwing some more.

Round 9: Doctor says the cut is deep over Lara's eye but not enough to stop the fight. Lara throws a left but Canelo is working the body beautifully. Nice combo by Lara. But Canelo gets him in the corner and goes to work Good right to Canelo's jaw. Lara goes down but it's a slip. Another round for Canelo, and now he has the advantage. Crowd is going wild right now.

Round 10: Lara connects with a combo to start the round. Another nice combination by Lara. Good round for Lara. Canedlo swings and misses. Left hook by Canelo hits but a right uppercut misses. Nice round for Lara and we're back to a tie on my card.

Round 11: We're in the championship rounds. Lara's cutman has done a nice job. Hard left by Lara. Canelo goes to the body but Larareturns a combination. Lara making Canelo chase him. Lara gets another combination. His reach helping him now. This is another round for Lara on my card. I have Lara up 6-5. Lara's head movement has been very good.

Round 12: Canelo going for broke. Working the body but Lara slips off the ropes. Canelo is tired. Lara clinching and holding Canelo off. Lara to the head and Canelo to the body. Lara's movement frustrating Canelo. And it's over. I give the 12th to Lara and the fight, winning 7 rounds to Canelo's 5.